Many Americans Say They Want To Relocate For Political Reasons. Few Actually Do.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

538

Data suggests that most past pledges to move to Canada didn’t pan out. For example, after Trump’s election in 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which tracks immigration into the country, found that only 655 more Americans gained permanent residence in Canada in 2017 than in 2016 — that’s just 9,140 people versus 8,485. And while 2018 numbers ticked up slightly to 10,900, they generally plateaued in 2019.

To be fair, moving can be expensive — on the order of thousands of dollars, even for a local relocation, according to industry experts — making this an unfeasible option for many Americans. Uprooting your everyday life to potentially gain access to a specific kind of health care isn’t an investment a lot of people can make. And those who can afford to do so are also more likely to be able to travel across state lines in a health care emergency, making the case to move in light of stricter abortion laws less urgent.

Even when Americans do move, they don’t go far. In fact, an overwhelming number don’t live that far from their hometown. That includes young people, one of the most likely demographic groups to say they want to move and perhaps among the most flexible in being able to lay down new roots. A Center for Economic Studies research paper released in July, for example, found that 80 percent of young Americans live within 100 miles of where they grew up, and 58 percent live within just 10 miles.

But that data implies that local moving patterns, especially around increasingly progressive cities situated in more conservative states, may be worth a closer look. The level of political diversity within states has become easy to spot on electoral maps — clusters of blue in major metropolitan areas like Atlanta, Nashville and Austin, for example, amidst redder spreads throughout the states of Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. Comparing these cities with their states may reveal more than comparing, say, all of California to all of Texas.

[onecaliberal]

1. Few can afford to.

[Kaleva]

10. How much does it cost to move?

[Polybius]

35. Blue states are expensive

Poor, Red states are cheaper.

[sharonlee]

44. Depends on where you are going

Rental trucks cost about upwards of $2000. If you're a renter then you need first, last and a deposit for a new place, in a tight rental market. A local alt-right candidate for state office recently told his possible future constituents to move if they didn't like the politics, and that isn't feasible for the majority of the people that live here.

[Kaleva]

46. Looking at the U-Haul site, it appears to be a lot less then 2k

To rent a 26' U-Haul truck for a one way trip from Upper Michigan to Rochester, MN is $317 .25 plus tax and fees for 3 days of use. As the trip is less then 412 miles, mileage fee is included in the base fee. They get about 10 miles to the gallon and the trip is under 400 miles so cost of gas would be roughly $174.00. Above 412 miles, the mileage fee is $1.00 per mile.



To get the cost you mentioned, it looks like you'd have to travel half way across the country.

[sharonlee]

56. that's why I said upwards

In state travel is much cheaper usually. The day I posted the previous I price checked getting a uhaul to California. It was $2400 for the large, $1400 for the small. That's from New Mexico, which is only a ~900 mile drive.

[Kaleva]

57. I imagine if people thought the situation was serious, they could downsize

If the standard of living and the materials things one has accumulated is more important, then I would think people aren't really all that concerned with living in a christo - fascist nation or region.

Millions of migrants have risked much to get into this country because they believed the situation they were in warranted it.

Edit: I did find it interesting that the cost of renting a U-Haul varies. What you found is comparable to the cost of renting a truck for moving from where I live in Upper Michigan, north of WI, to Macon, GA. A distance of around 1400 miles.

[sharonlee]

58. Different areas will always have different prices

Some areas are more desirable, so the companies price things based on demand. I have moved numerous times in my life and the cost has varied quite a bit, but even for some, downsizing to just a backpack full of clothes is still cost prohibitive because of housing, unless one finds assistance with that, which in some places the wait list can be years out.

[Kaleva]

59. It depends on where you go.

A house across the street from me went for 88k. Another house down the street is listed at 89.9k. And there are jobs here. Help wanted signs everywhere. Some offer a starting wage of $20 an hour or more with benefits for entry level positions.

[Kaleva]

61. It really depends on if people think the situation is serious or not

People from Central America walk hundreds of miles, finding food, water and shelter where they can to try to get into the US. Or they ride on small boats or even rafts. They do it because they believe the situation is so dire that it makes the risks worth it. People who feel they'll be just fine where they currently are won't make an effort. They'll just stay put.

[Kaleva]

53. To toe a U-Haul 6x12 cargo trailer across the country, it'd be $443.00

plus tax. Mileage is unlimited with trailers.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

54. A lot of people need more than a U Haul.

Last time we moved, we needed 2/3 of an 18 wheeler, and we have more stuff now.

[Kaleva]

55. For some, material things are more important then escaping political repression

You could downsize but I think you believe that a fascist takeover won't be that bad so you don't want to give up most of your belongings in order to escape

[BlueTsunami2018]

2. It's all about the money.

I’d be gone tomorrow if I could.

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Same here.

It's not that easy, and it requires $$$$.

[lpbk2713]

6. True.

One other thing that applies to me, I've been living in the same house for about
fifty years. Having to sort through all that stuff would be a monumental task.

[Kaleva]

9. How much short are you?

How much would it cost for you to move to the location you have chosen?

[BlueTsunami2018]

11. Enough that it's just a pipe dream.

I never thought being murdered by fascists in my own country was the fate I’d meet but it’s looking more and more likely.

[Kaleva]

13. I think if you thought your family was in extreme danger, you'd find a way.

I'm assuming you have a family.

[BlueTsunami2018]

17. They aren't yet.

But I can see what’s coming down the road. And really, I don’t know where there is a safe haven from it. Fascism is rising across the globe. Hell, even Sweden went right wing and the rise of the Sweden Democrats does not bode well for them.

It’s going to come down to a choice between going along to get along or fighting them. Right now, I’m up for fighting them.

[TheProle]

27. "More and more likely?"

I will not discount the rise of Fascism and fascist tendencies in America, but what are you putting your chances at that you're going to be murdered by fascists in your own country?

[SoCalDavidS]

4. It's Harder Than It Sounds, Unfortunately nt

[Kaleva]

48. For people supposedly living in fear, it does seem to be too hard

For the millions who move each year for a new job, better climate, to be closer to family, etc., it doesn't seem to be that hard

[sanatanadharma]

5. Saw an Oregon car-plate frame that said, "4th gen OR" ...

... and I thought, sad to be proud never having been curious enough to check out the other side of the border.

One's self identity and world knowledge expand considerably when living on the edge, rather than in the middle of an endless-land of bland unchallenged sameness. It is hard to know the borders of the 'true-self' rather than the disputed boundaries of self-imposed identifications with not-self (the otherness of gender, State, nation, religion, sports team, political and ethical preferences, etc).

"80 percent of young Americans live within 100 miles of where they grew up, and 58 percent live within just 10 miles"

At my 50th high-school reunion, I met others who had also relocated to other shores.
Is it political to choose to live where health care is affordable?
Is it political to choose the only land that offered legal cannabis access?
Is it political to choose another democracy; one actually believed and practiced?

[liberalhistorian]

8. I'd love to be able to have that choice,

but the issue of money stands in the way.

[Kaleva]

49. How much would it cost for you to move?

[ProfessorGAC]

40. I've Never Moved

How would you know from a license plate that said person has never visited an other state.
I live 60 miles from where I was born, 22 miles from where I grew up.
But, I've been to every state but Alaska and my job took me to 38 countries outside the U.S.
Now, I can't be 4th generation in my state as my grandparents came to this country in the mid 1920s. But, 80%+ of my family has been in this state over the last nearly hundred years.
I think you overreacted to that license plate holder.

[Hortensis]

45. Sure. Same for many. This article is about where people live,

not where they go. Nature wires us all to look for ways to keep our egos healthily boosted, but they do routinely lead us to some funny assumptions.

[liberalhistorian]

7. That's because it's much harder

to actually do than most people think. And certainly takes money that too many of us just don't have, even if we're fairly comfortable.

I remember in 2004, after Dubya's re-election, there was a lot of talk and consideration of moving to Canada. Many Canadian DUers half-jokingly offered to marry American DUers. There was even a Canadian "joke" site, MarryanAmerican.com. This was, however, before all of the legal, financial and logistical difficulties were known.

[sakabatou]

12. That's because the cost of moving and owning or renting a home is EXPENSIVE

[Kaleva]

14. What's the cost?

Is there a monetary limit on keeping ones family safe?

[sakabatou]

31. No, but people can be priced out

On average, the price of a home is over 400k. However, home prices can get well over a million dollars.

[Kaleva]

38. If the average is 400k, that means many homes are less then that

I have to wonder if those who say they'd love to move but can't actually did research and found out the cost.

Millions of Americans relocate every year for various reasons so it is doable.

[librechik]

15. My daughter married a Scot several years ago

Her.first attempt at a spousal visa was botched by the home office and kicked back to us.That was.just under $5 G, counting the immigration lawyer who screwed up her application. Then she tried again and and after application fee 1500 I think turned out hubby.made.250 pounds less than the income needed to sponsor a dependent .

Then covid happened

She eventually luckily visited
hubby on a tourist visa for six months. Then she came back here and was my.partner for my breast cancer last year. To celebrate the remission we went back together for several weeks touring London!!! and Scotland!!!!

Now we are back in the US and facing.a decision .Should hubby try to move here when the US is an uncertain future, inflation and political unrest likely .Also expensive to live here in Denver. Or try to break the bank and become a resident of UK for another 5G at least. That we don't have.

After living in Scotland awhile I can't wait to go back.Even 6 months at a time. However can't leave my boys alone to take care of the house for that long.They are 53 and 75 but they are not capable. We were gone 3 weeks and they flooded out the house.
Another 10 thousand! Insurance helped. Sorry, such exquisitely painful problems. Other people have far worse. I am lucky. Cancer free! . But $$$ to move to UK. Cheaper to live.in Glasgow than here once you are settled. Tough choice.

After the midterms a decision will be easier, right?

[Mr.Bill]

16. Jobs and family ties are a consideration also.

In the next year I'm planning on relocating within my state because family has. As I get older, proximity to family for care may be a necessity. I really can't afford it, but family is assisting there.

I don't think I would do it for political reasons. Politics change over time. Sure. I would have loved to leave California when Reagan was governor. But family kept me here and Reagan is the distant past and I'm still here.

[2naSalit]

22. Personal support network...

It takes time to develop one and hard to transfer from one to have to start over elsewhere.

[Mr.Bill]

23. Absolutely.

I will admit when Trump got elected my wife and I got passports. She has some relatives in Canada.

[2naSalit]

25. I just...

Renewed mine. I don't know where I would go but I am prepared if I have to bail in a hurry. I don't know how long I would be safe here if things go badly in November.

[2naSalit]

18. There sure are a lot of folks...

With the means moving to Montana with dream of dental floss in their eyes.

[Kaleva]

20. Millions are moving each year to new locations.

The majority are in state but there are a sizeable number moving across several states. To destinations like Montana.

[2naSalit]

21. Many are repubs...

hoping to outnumber us. The are building strongholds in the mountains, it's a little daunting. Their funders are buying up the more pricey parcels.

[Kaleva]

36. We have people buying homes where I live and turning them into Airbnb's

[2naSalit]

42. We have a lot of that too...

There are lots of vacation destinations here, including two national parks, so one of the reasons nobody can find affordable housing is because or VRBOs and air B&Bs which also jack up the rent for those of us who already lived here, everything was affordable before the vacation rental boom.

So we are in a situation where the majority of the possible housing around here is either vacation rental, trophy home, ranch (often corporate), and overpriced long term rentals. There are some regular old fashioned home owners of the middle class of old type but there aren't many.

[Mr.Bill]

24. Anyone who moves to Montana

needs to watch the Yellowstone TV series. My wife and I just binge-watched the first season. I know it's just a TV show, but damn.

[2naSalit]

26. And that's a problem.

It lures people here, they want to live in a teevee show and come and build their dream mansion and tear up another patch of the fragile ecosystem and leave after a couple winters of inconvenience.

But the damage is done. And someone else comes along and wants to "improve" the property by putting tourist lots out and so that will require pavement. At first it didn't seem like much but in the past five years it's exploded. And there's less water available each year, when these two intersect, the impact will reverberate across the country.

This is where the headwaters for much of the west's water, if building and over-touristing continues apace, the ecosystem will crash within about five years from now. I've been here for over thirty years and I'm seriously alarmed.

[Mr.Bill]

28. What you say is true, and the show is about that.

But I was referring to the main character played by Kevin Costner (he's really good in this role).

Here you have one of the most rich and powerful ranchers in the state ranching on land that his family has owned for over 100 years, and the plot line has a some member of his family or himself killing or threatening to kill someone in just about every episode. It's like the cowboy Mafia or something. Good show.

[2naSalit]

29. Funny...

I never watched a minute of the show, just never bothered. It has not been well received around here by the locals. I know some of the production folks and some of the segments are actually filmed nearby. Gossip says that the next season will be mostly filmed in Utah, that's where the production company originates.

[Mr.Bill]

30. I can see why the locals wouldn't like it.

It makes the ranching industry, the state and local government, the Sheriff's department, even the local Native American leadership all look evil and corrupt. Did I leave anybody out?

It's a very dark show. Some of the ranch hands literally get branded on their chest as a display of loyalty. It's considered an honor and a good career move.

[2naSalit]

32. Yikes.

You never get any of that info from the crew, to them it's another gig. I do know that one morning I was at a friend's for breakfast and our friend who was one of the crew, right after a few episodes aired, was reading a local paper aloud to the breakfast party, I think there were five of six of us. He was reading the paper's review of the show and it was a cussword-laced tirade of noticeable length the likes of which was rare in that publication! It was brutal, true and funny, and none of us could blame the author for the rant... all of us having been here for quite a while ourselves and not liking what we're seeing.

[Kaleva]

37. They seem unaware that climate change will make Montana far less desirable place to live

Drought, 3 digit temperatures and wildfires.

[2naSalit]

43. +1

They seem to be of a mind which concludes that "it can't happen here".

[Kaleva]

19. Depends on how serious the threat and the value of one's families safety

Some here say it costs too much to move, even though they don't know the amount. I'm going to assume people place a very high value on the safety of their family so the alternate is the perceived threat is marginal at best.

[TxGuitar]

33. Not everyone can

You can't move to a foreign country just because you want to live there.

[SYFROYH]

34. For me, there were windows of opportunity to move.

1. Going to college (bachelor's degree): moved from NJ to AZ.

2. Going to college (Grad School): moved from AZ to NH

3. First job post grad school: Moved from NH to GA

4. First couple of years on job and still single: Job offer in WI, but stayed in GA

Now I'm reasonably marketable and headhunters reach out. But with a wife and son, I don't want to disrupt them even as GA has gone RWNJ for Trump. In a couple of years, my son will be off to college and I'll reassess my options.

[mnhtnbb]

39. We moved from CA to MO to NE to NC

with a family between 1988 and 2000. I'm still here in the Triangle area of NC and both my adult sons live within 20 minutes of me, although the youngest was in grad school in CT for 5 years.

I wanted to go live for several months in France --and maybe Portugal--after separating from my husband in 2017 and he subsequently died in 2018--to see if I thought I could move to either place, but I kept putting it off because of my elderly dog. Then Covid hit, and all travel was off. Instead, I bought a house and moved in Jan 6, 2021. This is it for me. At 71 and solo, as much as I'd like to pick up and leave if things go badly with the election next month, I really think I'm past having the energy to do so.

VOTE!

[dembotoz]

41. as we ponder this, remember those folks on our southern border

we babble about moving.

They actually did.

things

had

to

be

pretty

damn

bad

[Kaleva]

50. People would move if they believed the situation was actually dire.

[maxsolomon]

47. I did, from Ohio to WA.

at age 28. I knew I'd get stuck in Cincy if I didn't leave by 30.

[betsuni]

51. There was someone who used to post here that claimed to be so disgusted with

President Obama that he left the country less than a year into Obama's presidency.

[Kaleva]

52. Millions of migrants with little risked their lives to move here

It's interesting that the folks who say that it costs too much don't know the actual cost. That's because they don't want to move, they are content where they are, and didn't bother to research the cost . If they were serious about moving, they'd have an itemized figure.

[tenderfoot]

60. So much "how much does it cost" assholery in this thread